20 St. Elizabeth Healthcare Interview Questions and Answers

St. Elizabeth Healthcare is one of the largest employers in Northern Kentucky, with over 8,000 employees. The healthcare system includes hospitals, primary care offices, urgent care centers, and more.

If you’re applying for a job at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of St. Elizabeth Healthcare interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare Interview Process

The interview process at St. Elizabeth Healthcare can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. The questions asked during the interviews will be mostly about your experience, availability, and why you want to work at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Additionally, you may be asked about challenges you have faced in the past and how you overcame them. Overall, the interview process is relatively straightforward and should not take more than a few weeks to complete.

1. Why do you want to work at St. Elizabeth Healthcare?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their organization. They want to know what attracted you to this role and how it fits into your career goals. When answering, be sure to highlight some of the aspects that drew you to the job posting. Consider mentioning any specific details from the job description that resonated with you.

Example: “I was drawn to St. Elizabeth Healthcare because I am passionate about working in an environment where patient care is at the forefront. Your hospital has such a strong reputation within the community, so I would love to be part of the team that helps maintain that. I also really appreciate the focus on teamwork and collaboration. I think those are important qualities to have when working in healthcare.”

2. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows you to highlight your strengths and weaknesses while also showing the interviewer that you can be honest about yourself. When answering this question, it’s important to be as specific as possible when describing your greatest strength and weakness.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to help anyone who needs it, even if it means going above and beyond what is expected of me. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on helping others that I forget to take care of myself. This has led to some health issues in the past, but I have learned how to balance both aspects of my life.”

3. Do you have any experience working with patients who are in critical condition?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience working with patients who are in need of immediate care. It also helps them determine if you have any experience working with emergency situations and how you would react to such an event. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share a specific story or situation that shows your ability to work under pressure and provide excellent patient care.

Example: “I had a patient once who was experiencing severe chest pains. I immediately called for help from my team members so we could assist him as quickly as possible. We were able to get him into his room where we assessed his condition and provided him with the necessary treatment. He ended up being fine after some medication and rest.”

4. Describe a time when you had to deal with an irate patient, what did you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can diffuse a situation. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and use active listening techniques to help the patient feel heard.

Example: “I once had a patient who was upset because they were in pain and wanted immediate relief. I listened to their concerns and explained that we would do everything possible to make them comfortable. I also offered to call their family members so they could speak with them while waiting for treatment. This helped put them at ease and allowed me to focus on my job.”

5. If hired, how would you ensure that the patients under your care were receiving the best treatment possible?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the healthcare industry and how you can improve patient care. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific situation where you improved the quality of care for patients under your supervision.

Example: “I would ensure that all patients were receiving the best treatment possible by making sure they are comfortable and have everything they need. I would also make sure that my staff was well-trained in their roles so we could provide the best care possible. In my last position as a nurse’s aide, I noticed that one of our nurses wasn’t following protocol when administering medication to some of our patients. I reported this to my supervisor, who then addressed the issue with the nurse. She apologized to the patients and implemented new procedures to prevent this from happening again.”

6. How many years of nursing experience do you have?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience level and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. If you have less than five years of experience, be sure to highlight any unique skills or training that makes you an asset to the team.

Example: “I’ve been a registered nurse for seven years now, but I also hold my BSN in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. In addition to my bachelor’s degree, I am currently enrolled in a master’s program at UC as well. My goal is to complete both degrees by the end of this year.”

7. Are you comfortable working directly with physicians?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with a variety of people. Physicians are one type of healthcare professional, and you may also interact with nurses, medical assistants and other staff members. Show that you can collaborate with others by giving examples of how you worked with physicians in the past.

Example: “I have had several experiences working directly with physicians. In my last role as a nurse practitioner assistant, I assisted two different primary care physicians. One physician was very hands-off when it came to patient care, while the other preferred to be more involved. I learned how to adapt to each physician’s style and provide them with information they needed.”

8. Tell me about a time where you had to make a decision quickly.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not they were beneficial to your previous employers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about what led up to the decision and the outcome of the situation.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at my last hospital, we had an emergency where one of our patients needed immediate surgery. The surgeon on call wasn’t able to get there in time for the procedure, so I stepped in and performed the surgery myself. It was challenging because I hadn’t done that particular surgery before, but I was able to successfully perform the operation and save the patient’s life.”

9. What software programs are you most familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your computer skills and how you might fit into the existing IT department. If you have experience with a specific software program, name it in your answer. If you don’t have experience with any programs, explain which ones you would learn if hired.

Example: “I am most familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also know basic functions of Google Drive and Dropbox. In my previous role as an administrative assistant, I was responsible for managing our organization’s email accounts, calendars and documents stored on Google Drive.”

10. Provide an example of a situation where you went above and beyond for a patient.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and passion for the healthcare industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about what you did for the patient and how they reacted.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, one of my patients had been in the hospital for several days due to complications from surgery. The patient’s family members were getting worried because they hadn’t seen their loved one in a few days. I decided to go into his room and talk with him so that his family could see he was doing well. After seeing me, the patient’s family members were much more at ease and thanked me for taking the time to visit.”

11. What is your philosophy on providing quality healthcare?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong commitment to providing quality care for your patients. Use examples from your experience of how you ensure that all patients receive high-quality healthcare and are treated with respect.

Example: “I believe that every patient deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, regardless of their situation or background. I also think it’s important to provide my patients with information about their diagnosis and treatment options so they can make informed decisions about their health. In my last role as a nurse practitioner, I worked with a team of nurses who were committed to treating each patient with kindness and ensuring that they understood their condition and what treatments were available.”

12. Have you ever worked with a team that was not performing well? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your ability to motivate others. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped a team overcome challenges or improve their performance.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked with a group of nurses who were not performing well on the unit. They would often come in late for work, leave early or take long breaks during their shifts. After talking with them about the issue, we realized that they were just bored at work. We implemented some new policies that made the work environment more fun and exciting, which improved morale and overall performance.”

13. What are some things you can do to improve patient satisfaction?

Patient satisfaction is an important part of the healthcare industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how your actions can affect patients’ experiences at their facility. When answering, think about what makes a patient feel satisfied and list some ways you could implement those things into your daily routine.

Example: “I know that patient satisfaction is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not a patient returns to a hospital. I always try my best to be friendly and helpful when interacting with patients. I also do everything I can to ensure they have a positive experience while they’re here. For example, if a patient asks for something specific, I will do whatever it takes to get them that item as quickly as possible.”

14. In your opinion, what does being a good nurse mean?

This question is a great way to show your understanding of the role of a nurse and how you can be an asset to the team. When answering this question, it’s important to emphasize the importance of empathy, compassion and dedication in nursing.

Example: “Being a good nurse means being empathetic and compassionate toward patients and their families. It also means having a strong work ethic and always putting the needs of others before yourself. I believe that nurses should be dedicated to providing excellent care to all of their patients.”

15. If a fellow staff member asked you to perform a task outside of your job description, what would you do?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle teamwork and collaboration. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you helped someone outside your job description and the positive results that came from it.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, one of my coworkers asked me if I could cover for them while they went on their lunch break. Since I had already finished my tasks for the day, I agreed to take over for them. While covering for them, I noticed a patient who needed some extra attention. I notified my coworker so they could return to their duties, but also stayed with the patient until they returned.”

16. We pride ourselves on having a diverse workforce. How would you contribute to our diversity?

St. Elizabeth Healthcare is committed to a diverse workforce, and they want to know that you are as well. They ask this question to see if you have any unique experiences or skills that would help them achieve their diversity goals. In your answer, share an experience where you helped create a more inclusive environment.

Example: “I believe that everyone should be able to feel welcome in the workplace. I once worked at a hospital where there was a lot of tension between different departments. One day, I overheard two nurses talking about how one nurse from another department had been rude to them. I went over to the other nurse and asked her if she could apologize to the two nurses. She did, and after that, we started inviting each other to lunch and working together on projects.”

17. Describe a time when you were assigned multiple tasks and had to prioritize them.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your tasks and complete them in a timely manner. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain how you organized your time and managed your workload.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for managing multiple patients at once while also ensuring they all received their medications on time. One day, one of my patients had an emergency that required me to stay with them until medical staff arrived. This left another patient without their medication for several hours. To prevent this from happening again, I created a system where I would check in with each patient every hour to ensure they were doing well and receiving their medications.”

18. Can you tell me about a time when you made a mistake?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you respond to challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you made a mistake but learned from it and improved your skills or processes.

Example: “When I first started working as an ER nurse, I was so focused on treating the patient that I didn’t always document my assessments thoroughly. One night, I had several patients who were all in need of immediate care, and I was running behind on documenting their conditions. As a result, I forgot to administer one patient’s medication for high blood pressure. Luckily, they were stable enough that we could hold off administering the medication until I finished documenting. After that experience, I implemented a system where I would write down my assessment before moving onto the next task.”

19. What is your availability like?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your availability and how it might fit with their needs. When answering this question, be honest about your availability but also highlight any flexibility you have.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., however, I can work some evenings and weekends if needed. My schedule is flexible enough that I could start my day earlier or later depending on what would best suit the hospital.”

20. As a CNA, we expect you to be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Is this something you’re comfortable with?

This question is asked to determine if you’re physically capable of performing the job duties. It’s important that you are honest about your physical capabilities and limitations, but also show that you can work hard to overcome any challenges.

Example: “I am comfortable lifting up to 50 pounds as a CNA. I have worked in healthcare for five years now, and my physical abilities have increased with time. However, I do understand that there may be times when I need help from other CNAs or nurses. In these situations, I will ask for assistance so that we can ensure patient safety.”